Gate-latch



S. B. McKNIGHT.

GATE LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21. 1919.

Patented Dec. 30,1919.

1x1 'E.\'TOR. ,5. MW

UNITED STATES PATENT or SAM BELL McKNIGHT, OF MILANO, TEXAS.

GATE-LATCH.

[041.26 whom. it may concern Be it known that I, SAM B. MCKNIGIIT, a citizen of the United States, residlng'at M1- lano, in the countv. of Milam and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to fastening means designed more especially for farm gates and which may be used to advantage inswinging closures of any type and for any desired purpose.

The invention provides novel fastening means embodying a movable latch member of annular form and a peculiar support therefor of such structure asto be fashioned from a metal strap or plate of peculiar form having a portion bent in a unique manner to provide a loop-shaped member to which the latch member is directly applied.

The drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions, various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details. of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Referring to the drawing hereto attached,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a gate latch embodying the invention, the dotted lines illustrating a portion of the gate and gate post.

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail, the dotted lines illustrating the operation of the latch when closing the gate.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the blank from which the bracket or latch supporting member is formed.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawing by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates part of a gate post which is located at one side of the gate opening and against which the'gate' closes. The nnmeral'2 indicates a portion of the gate to which in the present instance a latch bar 3 is attachedand' projects beyond the end of the gate to engage the gate post 1 and limit the closing of the gate when the latter is swung to.

The latch member 4 is of annular form and consists of a ring of suitable propor-V 'ing the gate, as indicated ening the Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented Dec. 30, 1919. Application aiea'm 21, 1919. Serial No. 298,758.

form, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, the member being disposed in the space formed between the element comprising the support Two pins 6 extend across the space of the support and their ends are received in openings formed in the elements comprising the loop. The latch member 4 is free to swing upwardly and rearwardly when closby the dotted lines in'Fig. 2, but is prevented from swinging forwardly and upwardly by reason of its engagement with the pins 0 and the forward end of the loorrshapcd support 5. as indicated by the full lines in Fig. 2. The space inclosed by the loop-shaped support 5 is of such dimensions as to admit of the rearward and upward movement of the latch member, but to prevent its forward and upward movement, thereby holding the gate when closed. The loop-shaped support 5 is part of a metal strap or plate 7, as indicated most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. An end portion of the plate or strap has a longitudinal cut 8 extending inward for some distance parallel with the edges of the strap. The portions 9 and 10 separated by the longitudinal cut 8 are of different lengths, the part 10 being of such length as to admit of a portion being folded to provide the loopshaped support, 5, which latter is bent to project outwardly from the plate 7 at a right angle, the inner portion of the part 10 being given a one-quarter twist, as indicated at 11 to enable the space between the folded portions of the part 10 occupying a vertical position so that the latch member 4 may move vertically.- A block 12 closes the space formed at one end between the folded portions of the part 10. said block being retained in position by means of a fastening 13 which also connects the spaced ends of the folded portions. The fastenings 6 connect the folded portions of the part 10 near the outer end or fold. thereby strengthpart 5 and forming supporting means for the latch member 4. The plate 7 and the part 9 are formed with openings 14 which receive suitable fastenings by which the latch member support is attached to the gate post 1 or like part.

In practice the attached to the gate post and gate respectively, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. Under normal conditions the latch member 4 occupies a pendent position and is supported upon the fastenings 6. Upon closing the parts of the fastening are gate the projectingmortion of the latchbar 3 strikes the outer portion of the latch member 4, thereby causing the latter to swing rearwardly and upwardly upon or about the forward or outer fastening 6. When the latch bar clears the latch member 4 the latter drops into the position indicated by full lines in Fig. 2 and occupies a position in front of the latch bar which latter is disposed between the gate post and the latch member 4. The gate cannot be opened by pressure thereagainst because the latch member 4 binds against the outer closed endof the loop-shaped support 5 and tends to swing about. the rear fastening (3, hence the greater the pressure against the rear portion of the t 1e suprangcment and combination of parts, mate rials, dimensions, et cetera, as may prove ex-- pcdient and fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Havin thus fully described my invention, what I c aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A gate latch, comprising a metal strap having a longitudinal cut extending inward] y from one end and having an end portion of one-of the parts separated by the longitudinal cut removed and having the other )art .doubled upon itself to form a loop w lid} is bent outwardly at a rightangle to the plate and given a one-quarter twist, pins connecting the folded portion of the strap and an annular latch supported on the pins.

In testimon whereof I 'afiix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

SAM BELL McKNIGHT.

Witnesses:

JOHN WILLIAMs, Jr., E. R. REED. 

